Chocolate Paradises Around the World

It’s just like any other addiction. You start slowly, gradually acquire a taste for the stuff and then ramp things up into a full-blown habit. But you can’t help yourself—you love the subtle buzz, the lingering aftertaste, the euphoric feeling that seems to follow every delicious encounter, to the point where you can no longer live without your daily dose. That’s when you know you’re a full-blown chocoholic. But who offers the best chocolate high? That depends on what sort of chocolate you crave and how far you’re willing to travel for your buzz.

With more than a dozen factories and some 2,000 chocolate shops, Belgium is the undisputed kingpin of the chocolate world. From nut-filled nougats and pralines to truffles and white chocolate seashells, the little European nation produces more than 170,000 tons of chocolate each year—an amount equivalent to the weight of 850 Boeing 747s.

“Chocolate has a profound effect on people on many levels," says Pamela Hinckley of Theo Chocolate in Seattle, another chocolate lover’s paradise. “The aroma, flavor and sensual way it melts is just the beginning. Many of the sensations are similar to those we experience when we are falling in love." John Sharffenberger, co-founder of Sharffen Berger Chocolate in Berkeley, the little Belgium of California, agrees: “Chocolate satisfies on three levels—body, mind and soul."

Europe's love affair with chocolate desserts began in Belgium as a result of the country's colonial involvement in the Congo. Along with a huge swath of African jungle, the Belgians suddenly found themselves with a huge supply of cacao, the basic raw ingredient of chocolate. The invention of the praline in Brussels in 1912 kicked off the world’s first chocolate candy craze and established chocolate as one of the country’s key industries.

Although there are many famous Belgian chocolate makers—Neuhaus, Leonidas, Sukerbuyc and Daskalidés—one of the oldest and most celebrated is Godiva, which has been around for more than 80 years. Seeking a name that combined beauty and sensuality, founder Joseph Draps named his confections after the lady who once rode naked through Coventry. His original chocolate shop on the Grande Place in Brussels still exists today. There are 15 other boutiques in Belgium, while the original Godiva factory churns out hundreds of thousands of boxes per year.

“It’s really not surprising that Godiva originated in Belgium," says Jim Goldman, the company’s worldwide president. From art and architecture to lace and crystal, Belgium has as long tradition of perfectionism. “In keeping with this tradition—and with a remarkable eye for detail—Draps set forth the standard at Godiva for elegant, shell-molded designs and beautiful packaging."

On the other side of the Atlantic, another charismatic individual was responsible for launching the chocolate craze in the United States. After failing at the candy business in a handful of cities, Milton Hershey returned to his roots in rural Pennsylvania in 1883 and established a factory to produce caramels. Convinced that the future belonged to chocolate (rather than caramels) Hershey spent years of trial and error perfecting the milk chocolate formula that would lead to the first Hershey bar.

Today, Hershey is Chocolate Town U.S.A.—home to the factories where they make Hershey’s iconic brands, from Kisses to Kit Kat, and a sprawling interactive experience called Chocolate World that combines theme-park rides, simulated factory tours, 3-D films and private tastings of Hershey’s new gourmet chocolates.

Organic chocolate, all the rage these days, is the raison d’être of companies like Green & Black’s and, in the Pacific Northwest, Theo Chocolate. The ultimate in politically correct confectioner, Theo uses only fair trade-certified cacao (and other “socially and environmentally responsible" ingredients) and participates in a local “green power" initiative in which customers can score free chocolate by participating in a renewable energy credits project.

Named after the Latin term for the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao)—or, “food of the gods"—the company was started in 1994 by Joe Whinney. A stint as a conservation worker in Central America convinced him there was a better way to undertake both farming and food-making in the modern world. Theo’s factory tour starts in a classroom setting, where visitors are schooled in the basics of cacao growing and chocolate production, including a chance to taste “nibs" (roasted, hulled cacao beans) that constitute the primary raw material of all chocolate. Festooned with fluffy hair nets, they move onto the factory floor, making their way through the 13 different machines and processes that magically transform cacao pods into finished, packaged chocolate.

Further down the West Coast, in the Bay Area, Scharffenberger is a chocolatier on the rise. The chocolate comes from organic Brazilian cacao grown on an Amazon co-op that practices sustainable farming. Founded in 1996 by organic farmer and vintner John Scharffenberger and Bay Area physician Robert Steinberg, it’s a miracle the company even got off the ground. The pair used a home coffee grinder, electric mixer and hair dryer in Steinberg’s kitchen to test nearly 30 varieties of cacao beans for flavor.

“Robert provided the curiosity and patience of a scientist," Scharffenberger says. “My background in botanical anthropology gave me the opportunity to work with cacao and the indigenous communities that farm cacao." Located in an old brick warehouse, the Scharffenberger factory in the Berkeley flatlands is both a local landmark and chocoholic hangout, with free daily factory tours, chocolate clinics and a café that serves desserts to die for including chocolate pancakes and tribute cake filled with whipped chocolate ganache.

Tuscany is another region where chocolate making has risen to an art form. The area along the Arno River between Florence and Pisa has come to be known as the Chocolate Valley. The most celebrated is Amedei, founded by siblings Cecilia and Alessio Tessieri in 1990 and named after their grandmother. The astonishing Porcelana is Amedei’s most celebrated sweet, made from rare white Venezuelan cacao and one of the world’s most expensive chocolates. Amedei is a favorite of French President Nicholas Sarkozy, a man with a demonstrated penchant for things Italian.

Visitors must call ahead to arrange a visit to the Amedei factory, but other chocolate producers are open during regular business hours on an almost daily basis including the unique Mannori Espace in the town of Prato, where chocolate maestro Luca Mannori organizes classes and chocolate tastings.

One of the highpoints of the Chocolate Valley is the Cioccolato Vestri boutique and factory in Florence. Any chance to sink one’s teeth into Vestri’s tocco oriente, a thin slab of white chocolate generously infused with sesame seeds and Himalayan salt, will not be soon forgotten. Then there’s Roberto Catinari’s workshop in Agliana where wonderful-sounding confectionaries like tavolette, schiacciate and rustichelli are produced. If that's not enticing enough, read on to discover more choco-heavens that may be closer to home.

source: forbestraveler.com

Travel Scams to Avoid

Joe Yogerst 2008-08-13
© Peter Cade/Getty Images



How to avoid resort fees, ID theft and more

Writers like to think they’re immune to the scams that plague ordinary travelers. But wandering scribes are just as susceptible to stings and swindles anyone else. During a trip to England several years ago, I spied an advertisement in one of the London papers promoting a hotel-and-meals package in Yorkshire that looked too good to be true.

Arriving in the old medieval town of York a few days later, I checked into a wonderful city center lodge full of bygone ambience and good cheer. At dinner that evening I promptly announced to the waiter that I was there on the special package and asked how that worked with the meals. With an absolutely straight face he told me I could choose from either side of the menu. Given that the dishes on the right side looked a lot more appetizing than those on the left, I spent the next three days merrily making my way down that side of the meal card.


Then at checkout, I was presented with an enormous (and unexpected) restaurant bill. Turns out the meals on the right side of the menu were not part of my too-good-to-be-true package. And the hotel refused to swallow the charges or admit it was their error. I had fallen victim to the old bait-and-switch, one of the oldest travel scams in the business. Months later—after letters to my credit card company, the British and Yorkshire tourist boards, and the Phoenix-based Best Western organization that marketed the hotel that had ripped me off—I was still without recompense.

Bait-and-switch is one of numerous scams that make travelers wish they had never left home. And the ubiquity of instant communication has made it easier for con artists and dubious travel agents to prey upon those of us who like to move around. Some scams are incredibly sophisticated.

The California Department of Justice recently announced the arrest of Orange County travel agent Ralph Rendon. “The suspect allegedly ripped off dozens of senior citizens who wanted to travel to Cuba for religious and cultural purposes,” says California Attorney General Jerry Brown. The scam targeted Jewish and Greek Orthodox seniors trying to congregate with people of their own faith on the Caribbean island. After the 34 victims forked out five-figure deposits, Rendon announced their trips were being blocked by the Treasury Department and refused to refund their money. According to state investigators, he used the money to lease a brand new Mercedes, pay his rent and hire a divorce attorney.

Selling counterfeit merchandise is another huge travel scam, especially for anyone visiting Asia, the source of so many bogus goods. There was a day in the not-too-distant past when a fake Rolex was the height of Third World travel chic. But nowadays the knockoffs can be downright deadly.

“Sunglasses, handbags, DVDs—every product in every industry is liable to be knocked off these days,” says Caroline Joiner, executive director of the Global Intellectual Property Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “I often tell people that if your product isn’t being counterfeited, then you probably have a brand that isn’t worth much.”

Nobody’s going to get killed by a counterfeit handbag, adds Joiner. “But consumers are at risk of buying counterfeit products that pose a real danger.” At the top of her list are knockoff pharmaceuticals cut with everything from harmless filler to motor oil, highway paint and glue. She also cites bogus electronics with faulty wiring or potentially hazardous batteries, as well as shampoo and perfumes that contain harmful amounts of bacteria. “I’ve seen things like fake diabetic testing strips, surgical mesh for repaired abdominal walls during surgery and even an entire Ferrari that was counterfeit.”

There are all kinds of money scams, from hotels that charge exorbitant commissions to change currency to money changers passing you bills or coins that are no longer in circulation. As a young backpacker doing the Eurail tango, I often changed money on the street trying to get a slightly higher exchange rate. During one of those black-market transactions, the fellow who ducked away “for a minute” to convert my dollars into local currency never came back. Needless to say, I started changing in kiosks and banks.

“I was back in Moscow a few years ago and saw with nostalgia they were still trying to pull the ‘wad of money’ trick in Red Square,” says veteran travel scribe Robert Reid, author of the Lonely Planet guides to the Trans-Siberian Railway, Central America and Myanmar. “Some goon rushes by you and drops a wad of dollars—could be more than a thousand—and another goon steps in and picks it up, offering to share it with you. If you take the offer, the other goon will track you down and demand all of the money. I kinda find it cute that they think it can still work—sadly it probably does.”

Another scam I’ve been stung by is the hotel that isn’t quite what it advertised—and sometimes nowhere close. I’ve booked rooms at beach hotels that were nowhere near the beach and airport hotels that were miles away from the terminals. “My advice is, do your research,” says Brooke Ferencsik, senior manager of media relations for the popular TripAdvisor website. “The more educated you are about a given hotel, the better off you’re going to be.”


The flipside of that coin, says Ferencsik, is choosing a hotel on the basis of a great location or a snazzy website without reading reviews that may paint a much darker picture. Unsuspecting travelers can get scammed into rooms only a few notches above a pig sty, places like the Hotel Carter in New York, which recently topped TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 10 Dirtiest Hotels in America. A manager at the Hotel Carter—who requested anonymity—said, “We know about the list. We’re doing OK. We’re still busy,” adding, “But we get many emails saying that it's not fair or not true or something like that.” Then there’s the centrally located Park Hotel in London, which one TripAdvisor reviewer dubbed a “typhoid cubicle.” (The general manager of the hotel could not be reached for comment.)

Despite the phenomenal growth of airport security over the last seven years, getting scammed at the TSA checkpoint is still a distinct possibility. Often it’s just a crime of opportunity—somebody who decides on the spur of the moment to snatch your iPod or cellphone from one of those ubiquitous plastic bins. But there are thieves, working solo or in tandem, who make a living off airports. They stand behind you in the TSA line and snatch items from your carry-on as you're passing through the metal detector. Or, they may be in front—one member of the team takes forever passing through the scanner while his or her partner walks away with your laptop that's already gone through the X-ray machine.

There have been several well-publicized cases over the past year in which victims were able to remotely activate the camera on their stolen laptops and identify the culprits. But you can’t rely on stupid crooks.

Steve Lott, head of North American communications for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggests several ways to keep from getting ripped off at airports. “I always recommend keeping an eye on your handbags and carry-ons at all times,” he says. “Don’t go through the metal detector before your bag does. If you require secondary screening, always ask a TSA agent to get your bag from the belt and bring it with you to the screening area. Be vigilant and avoid distraction. And before you leave the TSA screening area, always double-check that your valuables are in place.”

Expensive electronics aren’t the only thing that thieves are after. They can also pocket your identity without you even knowing that it’s been taken. Sifting through items that many travelers leave lying around their hotel rooms—driver’s license, airline tickets, address book, diaries, expense reports or anything else that may contain sensitive personal information—hotel workers and anyone else who gains access to your room can successfully hijack your persona for financial or other means. The simple solution is securing everything with personal information in the room safe or a lockable piece of luggage.

Identity theft also proliferates online. Be wary of using cybercafés or even hotel business centers for commercial transactions involving credit cards, and if you communicate personal financial information via email on a public computer, always verify that you have signed out of your email program before leaving the computer.

One of the least financially damaging scams is one of the most irritating—the infamous resort fee—that extra charge (normally $20 to $30) that some luxury hotels add for the privilege of using things that should be free or that we are unlikely to use. Although no one is sure who invented the resort fee, it’s often associated with Hawaii and its ritzy beach hotels.

“It’s an easy way for hotels to capture extra revenue from a captive audience,” says Alex Salkever, founder and editor of the Hawaiirama travel news and reviews website. “Once you get to the front desk, it’s not like you can turn around and leave.” The problem, says Salkever, is hotels that don’t disclose their resort fees ahead during the reservation process. “A few are good deals,” he adds. “One resort offers kids meals for free as part of the resort fee and that strikes me as a bargain. Most, however, are rip-offs.”

Cyberspace is rife with travel scams. Just this past winter, San Diego college students—planning a summer volunteer trip to teach English to orphans in West Africa—bought their tickets online from a discount airfare website based in Delaware. They paid online using their credit cards, but never received an e-ticket or electronic itinerary. By the time they got around to asking for a refund, the website had completely disappeared and nobody was responding at the travel agency’s telephone number.

“I don’t understand how someone can do something like this to other people,” one of the students lamented to a local television station, especially when the agency knew they were going to be doing volunteer work “and we didn’t have money to throw away.”

Maybe they can no longer fool all of the people all of the time, but savvy scammers know there are still plenty of travelers out there who they can trip up at least part of the time.

Source: ForbesTraveler.com

His and Hers: Packing the Perfect Carry-on

From khakis and pullovers to cardigans and jewelry, here are tips for men and women to get maximum efficiency out of a carry-on bag.

By Christine Ajudua, Jessica Shaw, Rima Suqi, Travel+Leisure

When it comes to an urban travel wardrobe, men are lucky—they can get away with a basic uniform, built around a button-down shirt, jeans or khakis, and a sweater or blazer. It’s important to pack neutral colors that can mix and match. With the following pieces, you’ll be able to go the distance.

His: Tips for the Perfect Carry-on

1. Wrinkle-free fabrics do matter

A number of companies are reinventing the classic button-down in high-tech fabrics that repel stains and creases.

2. Wear your blazer

A sport jacket in a dark color works in every situation, from the airplane to dinner at the restaurant.

3. Pile on the layers

A basic pullover is a travel staple. Pair it with a collared shirt and tie for a polished nighttime look; a T-shirt works during the day. Vests are also great for layering. They’re an easy add-on and very much in style this season. Go for a lighter weight, as it will travel best.

4. Two pairs of pants will do the job

Pack khakis and black trousers, which can be laundered as you go.

5. Jeans will go the distance

Dark-washed denim travels well.

6. Put your best foot forward

Look for walking shoes or dark sneakers that are smart enough to wear out at night, but also comfortable for sightseeing.

7. Protect your clothing from spills

Ensure that your Dopp kit will actually keep liquids contained if something leaks. (If not, use Ziploc bags.) Another idea to keep your bag light: bring grooming products that multitask. Many shower gels on the market double as shampoo and face wash. And instead of shaving cream, try an oil—it eliminates the need for aftershave lotion.

8. Make sure your carry-on can be carried on

Check the airline’s website for size and weight requirements, which can vary.

Hers: Tips for the Perfect Carry-on

For most women, traveling light is a challenge. Our rule: every piece must be able to multitask. Limit your color palette, opt for solids or simple prints, and choose items that can be layered. And always look for wrinkle-free fabrics. Stick to these strategies and you may never have to check a bag again.

1. A basic dress will work wonders

Choose a solid color that can transition easily from day to night and will coordinate with other items in your wardrobe.

2. Three pairs of pants is all you need

Denim can be dressed up or down—especially darker washes. Black pants are another travel staple. They go with almost everything, and they don't get as dirty as other colors. And why not take your yoga pants beyond the studio: when paired with a cardigan, knit top, and ballet flats, they can be worn during the day.

3. Top it off

Bring a stylish top—it’s a quick way to create a chic outfit. You can also layer it under a cardigan for a more casual daytime look.

4. Stock up on simple long- and short-sleeved T’s

They’re great basics that can be layered under almost anything or worn on their own.

5. You can’t go wrong with a white shirt

A simple button-down works anywhere—on a gallery visit or for a night on the town.

6. Accessorize

Have fun with your jewelry, which doesn’t take up much space, yet makes every outfit seem new. Also, don’t underestimate the value of a belt. Just as jewelry will spice up an outfit, it can create a new look.

7. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes

That’s it: a pair of flats, sensible heels to go out at night, and athletic shoes for exercise and pounding the pavement.

8. Embrace a cardigan

It can help transform an outfit. Lightweight knit cashmere travels best. A shawl will work, too. You can wear it on the plane, and it can be used as an evening wrap or accent piece.

9. And lastly, don't let your suitcase weigh you down

Make sure your bag is light enough to lift into the overhead.


Source: MSN Travel

Packing Tips for the Smart Traveler

With ever-changing airline rules and restrictions, packing can be a nightmare—but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some of the latest techniques for stress-free packing.

By Christine Ajudua, Jessica Shaw, Rima Suqi, Travel+Leisure

How to pack in five easy steps

Our easy-to-follow instructions for organizing your suitcase—and techniques for folding and rolling your clothes for a wrinkle-free arrival.

1. Distribute weight intelligently

Put heavier items on the bottom of your suitcase. This includes shoes (in shoe bags), rolled jeans, and blazers (folded into dry-cleaner bags). Lighter pieces go at the top.

2. Use bags to organize

Ziplocs are great for small accessories and toiletries. If you’re not checking, make sure cosmetics are on the top of your packed suitcase, for easy access as you go through security. To protect undergarments from damage (and prying TSA agents), place them in a lingerie bag.

3. Roll your casual clothes

This approach minimizes creasing and maximizes space. It’s best for lighter-weight pieces—cotton shirts, khakis, jeans—not bulkier items like sweaters (see step 4). Put compactly rolled pieces in organization cubes to create extra room. Roll smaller items (yoga pants, socks) and use them to fill in air holes.

4. Fold sweaters and delicate items

Bulky articles should be folded and placed in compression sacks, like the Spacepak Bags from Flight 001. Delicate pieces can be protected from wrinkles by using tissue paper and dry-cleaner bags. Dress shirts and skirts should be folded and separated by tissue paper.

5. Don’t forget the laundry

Bring a laundry sack (or extra-large Ziploc) and stuff it with a few dryer sheets to keep everything smelling fresh. Put it at the back of the suitcase, so that clean clothes are easily accessible during the trip.


Pre-packing checklist

How can you prepare for next trip? Here, T+L offers our checklist of eight simple—yet easily forgotten—steps to take before departure.

One week before takeoff

Freshen up your Suitcases
Air out your bags before you pack. And next time you put luggage away, leave lavender sachets by L’Occitane en Provence (loccitane.com) in the pockets.

Stock up on storage bags for small items
Our favorites: Stephanie Johnson (stephaniejohnson.com) designs stylish Dopp kits with protective plastic interiors; a nylon-lined cotton sack by Zazendi (zazendi.com) is well suited for wet swim gear; and the drawstring laundry bag by Flight 001 (flight001.com) is treated with polyurethane, which keeps odors under wraps.

Three days before takeoff

Get your gadgets in order
Empty memory cards and charge your phone and camera. Consolidate power cords, chargers, and extra batteries in your carry-on (new DOT regulations prohibit putting them in checked luggage). Pick up the Tumi Electronics Charger Kit (tumi.com), with adapters that work in 150 countries.

Refill necessary prescriptions
Bring medications with you on the plane; make sure they are properly labeled according to TSA requirements.

Copy important documents
Carry paper duplicates of your passport, visa, and itinerary, and e-mail yourself electronic copies. With a password-protected itinerary on Google Docs, close friends and family can keep track of where you are.

Pare down your travel wallet
Only bring essential documents: driver’s license, medical insurance cards, passport, and credit cards. (T+L Tip: Alert your bank and credit card companies before you depart, so that they won’t be alarmed by out-of-town charges and ATM withdrawals.)

One day before takeoff

Record the contents of your suitcase.
Take pictures of your clothes, shoes, and jewelry, which will serve as documentation if your bag is lost or stolen. Download the shots onto your home computer, just in case.


Source: MSN Travel

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is a test of English language proficiency, developed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. There are two different IELTS tests that you can take: Academic and General. The former is used for university entrance in English Speaking countries.

IELTS is not a test that you can pass or fail. Your assessment will be reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. Band one indicates that you have virtually no English at all. Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities in Australia typically require a band score of between 6 and 7.

For which band you need to obtain, you will have to contact the university you wish to enter to find out the IELTS score they require for entry into your chosen course.

The IELTS does not test any specific knowledge. Rather, the test questions have been designed to reflect the general interests of people from an educated background.

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

The total time needed to complete the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.
IELTS Registration

IELTS test centers are run by either British Council, IDP Education Australia or Cambridge Examinations and IELTS Inc. Most centers are either British Council offices, IDP Education Australia offices or universities/language schools. There are currently more that 300 IELTS test centers in over 120 countries world-wide.

To search for a test center, please visit the official IELTS website at:
http://www.ielts.org/testcentresandexaminers/article3.aspx


IELTS FAQ

1. Is the IELTS test completed in one day?

The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other and in this same order. The Speaking test can be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

2. Is there a similar period of ten minutes at the end of the Reading test for the transfer of answers?

No. The Reading test is one hour, and you must write all your answers on the answer sheet in this time.

3. Can I complete the Listening and Reading answer sheet in pen?

No. The answer sheet is scanned by a computer which cannot read pen.

4. Can I make some notes on the Listening and Reading question paper?

Yes. The examiner will not see your question paper.

5. What is the Speaking test?

The Speaking test is conducted with a one-to-one interview with a certified examiner, which is recorded on an audiocassette.

6. What should the candidate bring for the Speaking test?

The candidate needs to bring the same identification documents they supplied on registration, as these must be checked again against the information on the application form. These documents will be checked by the administrator and the Speaking examiner prior to the candidate entering the interview room.

7. When will the candidate receive their results?

Under usual test circumstances, the candidates will receive their Test Report Forms approximately two weeks after they complete their test.

8. How soon can candidates repeat the test?

Candidates are not permitted to retake the test at any centre within 90 days of their previous test date, i.e. 90 days and no fewer. Candidates are reminded that scores are unlikely to improve dramatically without English language tuition in the interim.

9. What happens if a candidate wants to postpone or cancel their application?

Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide appropriate medical evidence to support their request within 5 days of the test date.


IELTS Result

As we mentioned, IELTS is not a test that you can pass or fail. Your assessment will be reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. You will need to contact the university you wish to enter to find out the IELTS score they require for entry into your chosen course. Band one indicates that you have virtually no English at all. Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities in Australia typically require a band score of between 6 and 7.

Following are the detailed band description.


9　Expert User. Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 　Very Good User. Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

7　Good User. Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6　Competent User. Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, paricularly in familiar situations.

5 　Modest User. Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 　Limited User. Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

3　Extremely Limited User. Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 　Intermittent User. No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1　Non User. Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Best Asian breakfast restaurants in Los Angeles

From the Los Angeles Times
latimes.com


For a soothing morning meal, sample such Eastern delicacies as steamed buns, fresh soy milk and Chinese doughnuts.

By C. Thi Nguyen
Special to The Times
August 20, 2008


BREAKFAST IS the last great dining frontier. Los Angeles is full of intrepid culinary explorers, venturing to all corners of the city in search of lunch and dinner; but as for the morning, we're often breakfast conservatives. Everybody knows about pancakes and waffles, and many are at home with Latin American breakfast staples. But Asian breakfasts are perhaps less well known. Except for dim sum, which is more of a fancy brunch option, what is Asian breakfast?

One of the first things the explorer discovers about Asian breakfasts is that, a lot of the time, they don't exist.

"Koreans don't really have a separate breakfast concept," says Kathy Shin, a Korean American food theorist. "You just sort of eat the same thing that you'd eat at any other meal, but less."

So at many Asian restaurants the same dishes show up at breakfast and lunch; some, particularly soups, are served all day. Rice porridge is served either for breakfast or as a post-clubbing midnight snack. Pho -- Vietnamese beef noodle soup -- is a perfect example of the type of soup that makes a great Asian breakfast -- radiantly light, greaseless and full of mineral tang.

The most intense experience of morning minerality, though, is sul lung tang, a Korean soup that's basically just beef bones boiled for half a day. After a misspent night of carousing and electrolyte loss, a bowl of sul lung tang is a bowl of pure, sunny health flooding your body and your brain.

Northern China does have a distinct breakfast concept. Many dishes eaten all day long in the rest of China are breakfast-only foods in the north, including congee (rice porridge), wonton soup and baozi (meat-filled steamed buns), Chinese scholar Valerie Washburn explains. But the crowning glory of Chinese breakfasts, she says, are two items you'll see only in the morning: youtiao and jianbing.

Youtiao are long, slender, ultra-crisp fried doughnuts, rather like crullers or churros. You dip one in a hot bowl of soy milk or some steaming rice porridge. It's China's version of doughnuts and coffee. Jianbing are bizarre but tasty hybrids -- part pancake, part crêpe and part scrambled egg.

In Southern California, purely Northern Chinese places are rare, but there are plenty of Northern Chinese-style breakfasts as interpreted by Taiwanese-style and Thai places. San Gabriel Valley, in particular, has a concentration of breakfast places that make soy milk fresh every morning (it degrades quickly, so arrive early).

Perhaps the most Western-friendly Asian breakfast is Filipino breakfast. A typical Filipino breakfast is like an American diner breakfast crossed with a garlic festival: a garlic-fried egg over garlic fried rice with a side of sweet garlic-pork sausage.



Here's a selection of some of the best examples of Asian breakfasts in the area.

Banh Cuon Tay Ho 2. This, the tiniest and homeliest branch of the Tay Ho mini-chain, is the best one. It serves the classic Vietnamese breakfast noodle, banh cuon -- fresh, slippery rice noodles wrapped around two fillings. The first filling is a mixture of intensely seasoned ground beef and mushrooms; the other is pungent powdered dried shrimp. These are the noodles favored by Vietnamese diners for breakfast and light lunch -- tender, gossamer and utterly light. They're so popular here that the place sometimes runs out before noon. 9242 Bolsa Ave., Space F, Westminster, (714) 895-4796; www.tayho.com.

Han Bat Shul. This cafe is a long, narrow hallway filled with folks all eating the same thing. That thing is sul lung tang, a soup experience of pure, bracing mineral intensity. It comes with a little noodle action and bits of beef, but the important part is the broth, made from simmering beef bones overnight. Throw in a big spoonful of salt to bring out the flavor, mix in some raw scallions and add some of the dense house hot sauce. No matter how hard you partied the night before, this will fix you. 4163 W. 5th St, Los Angeles; (213) 388-9499.

Max's Restaurant. Here, you can get a fresh version of a basic Filipino breakfast: a starchy, greasy, garlicky wonder. A typical plate involves garlicky fried rice, a fried egg and your choice of meats, including intensely garlicky sausage and sweet barbecued pork. Break up the egg, let yolk mingle into the fried rice and you have yourself a big pile of satisfying tastiness. It fills precisely the same emotional niche as pancakes, bacon and eggs, and you can get it all day long. Max’s is big, clean and decorated in a cheerful, vaguely tiki fashion. Mornings are quiet; late nights are drenched with very enthusiastic Filipino karaoke. 313 W. Broadway, Glendale, (818) 637-7751; www.maxschicken.com.

Mei Lin Tou Chiang. Mei Lin looks like almost every other Chinese breakfast place in town -- small, spare, grungy -- only more so. But it makes the best soy milk in the San Gabriel Valley. The stuff is an unflinching shot of the purest, cleanest, nuttiest soy flavor. Even if you've never before tried a soy milk you like, try it here. There are absolutely none of the bitter, astringent or harsh overtones that mark your typical slightly aged soy milk. Get it hot, get it cold, have it there, get an extra liter to go. Just have some soy. 1257 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, (626) 284-1868.

Pho Minh. Pho Minh, hidden in the back corner of a strip mall, is a temple of worship for pure cow. The cooks here are practitioners of the highest pho arts: no MSG, no excessive spices. They treat beef broth like a sushi chef treats toro, with utmost devotion. This is pho to contemplate, pho to meditate over, pho to sink into. It comes in two versions, one tangy, one full of the natural sweetness of beef. Either is exactly the sort of light, clean liquid experience you want to wake up to. The usual breakfast accompaniment is Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk; the intensely vegetal pennywort tea is worth trying too. 9646 E. Garvey Ave., No. 108, South El Monte, (626) 448-8807.

Sunset Siam. This tiny Thai restaurant in the parking lot of an America's Best Value Inn serves a particularly heart-warming Thai version of Chinese breakfast. There's hot tofu pudding in ginger syrup, there's hot soy milk soup loaded with bits of barley and tapioca balls, and there's gloriously crisp Thai versions of youtiao served with honey mayonnaise. Everything here is a little sweeter and crisper than at Chinese cafes. Dip your first cruller in the mayo, drop your second in the soy milk and be warm. A more filling option is the excellent hot rice porridge topped with raw ginger and filled with porky bits or with thin slices of raw fish that lightly poach in the porridge right in front of you. 5265 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 467-8935.

Ye May Restaurant. Ye May is a spartan place -- tile floors, a few bare tables and rows of metal bakery trays loaded with every kind of steamed bun and pastry you could want. There's spectacularly fresh soy milk, made daily, that tastes exactly like what it is: the pure, clean, nutty juice of fresh-squeezed soy beans. Ye May's salty soy milk -- hot soy milk loaded with meats and mushrooms -- is unspeakably satisfying. The youtiao is perfect for all your soy milk dipping needs. There's an excellent assortment of steamed buns (try the pork and preserved vegetable bun). Pork-radish cake is an intensely flavored treat: bits of tasty pork inside a thick, chewy, glutinous rice shell, steamed in a lotus leaf. All sorts of jianbing variations are available; look for anything that says "egg" on the menu. This location is run by a very nice woman who's willing to help customers who don't speak the language. There's also a menu of Taiwanese deli fare, which is mostly not as good as the breakfast offerings. 608 E. Valley Blvd., Space G, San Gabriel; (626) 280-8568.

Yung Ho King Tou Chiang Restaurant. This sweet little restaurant, like the better-known place with the same name a few blocks to the west, is a Northern Chinese breakfast place, but it's leagues better. The youtiao is the best in town -- shatteringly crisp on the outside, ultra-tender and croissant-like on the inside. The kitchen also makes the best fan tuan in town, and a crunchy youtiao rolled in fluffy, salty shreds of dehydrated pork and excellently moist, crunchy pickle bits, and wrapped in a sheet of pressed sticky rice (it's called a "rice roll" on the menu). Every form of fried pastry here is excellent. But best of all is the whole-wheat rice milk -- it's like a whole-wheat cinnamon roll boiled down to its essential juices: a sweet, gloriously warm, glutinous custard. 1045 E. Valley Blvd., Space A105, San Gabriel; (626) 280-9317.

Free Things to Do in New York City

Heading to New York? Get great ideas for free sights and activities in New York City. Then, after your trip, share what you’ve found with other MSN Travel readers by contributing your own suggestions to the list.

By MSN Travel Editors

There’s so much to see and do in New York that the city can be overwhelming – and overpriced. Don’t panic; just keep in mind that many of the most interesting things to see and do won’t cost you a cent. Here’s a list of our favorite ways to spend time and save money in New York City. We invite you to share your ideas, as well! Visit our message boards to post your own favorite free things to do in New York City. We’ll keep adding to this page, so keep checking back as the list grows with your suggestions.

1. Central Park: This 843-acre swath of green space stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street; you could spend hours wandering the pathways and lounging on the lawns. During the summer, don’t miss Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater — the tickets are free.

2. Ground Zero: Construction of a Sept. 11 memorial is under way in lower Manhattan, and adjacent to the site is the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. For a donation you can see photos and a timeline of that fateful day, read stories of survival and loss and learn about the memorial being built to commemorate those who died. (http://www.national911memorial.org)

3. Federal Hall National Museum: This historic building is easily overlooked in the shadow of Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, but it’s worth a stop. George Washington took his presidential oath here, and it was also the site of the first Congress and offices of the executive branch. (http://www.nps.gov/feha)

4. The Brooklyn Bridge: A pedestrian walkway accommodates walkers and bikers and gives great views of New York Harbor along the way. To start from the Manhattan side, take the 4, 5 or 6 subway to the Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall Station.


5. The Staten Island Ferry: This fleet of passenger ferries connects Whitehall Terminal (a.k.a. South Ferry) in Manhattan and St. George on Staten Island. Boats depart every 15 to 30 minutes, and during the 25-minute ride there are great views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the city skyline.

6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Attend Mass, listen to a choir or organ concert or just step inside for some respite from the hustle of Rockefeller Center just outside. The cathedral is located on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st streets.

7. New York Public Library: Two marble lions flank the entrance to this beautiful Beaux Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Inside are majestic painted ceilings, stately wood-paneled research rooms and books, books, books.

8. The New York Earth Room: Commissioned and maintained by the Dia Foundation, this 280,000-pound installation of earth by artist Walter De Maria is installed in a gallery three floors up in SoHo (www.earthroom.org).

9. Governor's Island: Take the R or 4/5 to South Ferry; there is a free ferry to the island docked just next to the Staten Island Ferry. The island has beautiful views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines, and you can see the waterfalls just as well as on the Circle Line tours. -Annybananny92660



10. Rockaway Beach: Take the A train to one of the Beach streets (Beach 44, etc.). We have been out here three times so far, always on a Saturday or Sunday, and there were hardly any crowds. Summer may be a different story: We have been in April, May and September, but the beach is beautiful regardless. -Annybananny92660

11. The Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza: It might seem cheesy (it is) but we have gotten on TV each time we've been up there, and every now and then you get to actually chat with one of the celebrity guests. Also in this category would be "Good Morning America," which films in Bryant Park, a fun free place to hang out in itself. -Annybananny92660

12. The Bronx Zoo: It's not quite free, but on Wednesdays, the price of admission is whatever you care to donate. -Annybananny92660

13. The Waterfalls: This is a new attraction around the city; one of them is coming off the Brooklyn Bridge. -Patnal. (Editor's note: Read more about this temporary art installation.)

14. Museum of Modern Art: The Museum of Modern Art is free for all visitors during Target Free Friday Nights, every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Free Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

Get great ideas for free sights and activities in Washington, D.C. Then, after your trip, share what you’ve found with other MSN Travel readers by contributing your own suggestions to the list.

By MSN Travel Editors

With all the free monuments, museums and gardens around town, Washington, D.C., is a budget-friendly city. Here’s a list of our favorite ways to spend time and save money in the nation’s capital. Do you know D.C.? We need you to share your ideas! Visit our message boards to post your own favorite free things to do in Washington, D.C. We’ll keep adding to this page, so keep checking back as the list grows with your suggestions.

1. Stroll through the National Mall: Wear your walking shoes! The mall — bordered by Constitution and Independence avenues and the U.S. Capitol Building and Washington Monument — encompasses 60 statues, memorials, historic sites and buildings. Highlights include the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial, Constitution Gardens and Ford’s Theatre.


2. Visit the White House: Self-guided tours of the White House are free and available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays). However, they are open only to groups of 10 or more; a request for the tour must be submitted by contacting your member of Congress ahead of time. If you can't arrange a tour, stop by the White House Visitor Center instead.

3. National Archives: See the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution all housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom (http://archives.gov/nae/visit); the Public Vaults include handwritten letters by George Washington and telegrams from Abraham Lincoln. (To avoid waiting in line, call at least six weeks in advance for a reservation.)


4. Arlington National Cemetery: Pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and visit the eternal flame that burns at the grave of President John F. Kennedy.

5. Smithsonian Museums: It’s hard to believe that these amazing storehouses of history are free. Start at the National Museum of Natural History, the Air and Space Museum or one of more than a dozen others.

6. U.S. Botanic Garden: Stop and smell the roses, and peonies, and cherry blossoms and more. Run by the U.S. Congress, the garden features rotating exhibits, 26,000 plants and a butterfly garden, among other attractions. The garden is located across from the Capitol Building and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm)

7. U.S. Naval Observatory: Its lofty mission includes “determining the positions and motions of the Earth, sun, moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects … measuring the Earth's rotation; and maintaining the Master Clock for the United States.” Tours are generally available on Monday evenings. (http://www.usno.navy.mil/tour_info.shtml)

8. National Zoo: Lions and tigers and giant pandas, oh my! This free zoo is a national treasure and a great change of pace from D.C.’s museums and monuments.



9. The “Exorcist Stairs”: For something on the quirky side, visit Georgetown to see the 75 steep steps that connect Prospect Street with M Street; they’ll be recognizable to fans of "The Exorcist" as the stairs that were featured in the climactic scene with the priest. Today, it’s just a great workout – about the equivalent of walking to the roof of a five-story building.

Dollar-Friendly Destinations

Who needs Western Europe and its horribly unfriendly currencies? These equally fascinating destinations avoid the worst of the tourist hordes while offering more value for your dollar.

By Diane Vadino

Forget the pound, and banish the euro — just because it's all bad news, all the time, for those two currencies doesn't mean that dollar-earners need to stay on this side of the pond this summer. These destinations, none of which uses the pound or the euro, offer American travelers more bang for their bucks — and you won’t have to sacrifice a penny of your hard-earned cash on an unfavorable conversion rate.

South Africa - 7.86 South African rand to the dollar

(Currency rates as of June 6)

Cape Town is Africa's answer to San Francisco: Nestled between Table Mountain and Table Bay, it claims an equally stunning natural setting, a similarly temperate climate and the continent's most progressive cultural scene. Attractions include Long Street's Pan African Market, a fabulous souvenir emporium, especially for bargainers. A gorgeous feather-cap wall hanging costs less than $60, about one-fifth the price for a similar piece in the U.S. (There are also plenty of sub-$5 choices, like carved wooden salad tongs.) Or, visit the Old Biscuit Mill in the arty Woodstock district, which boasts the city's best shopping plus a wide selection of organic foods on Saturdays.

If you're brave enough to drive on the left, take a road trip south to Cape Point, which offers a fabulous, windy walk to a lookout point with views of both the Atlantic and Indian oceans; east and west of the city are the wine lands, South Africa's Napa. Deluxe accommodations are satisfyingly cheap: The Derwent House Boutique Hotel, a gorgeous, friendly guesthouse in the popular Tamboerskloof neighborhood, is perfectly situated on the northern slope of Table Mountain — and offers a self-catering suite this summer for less than $200, or a room for just over $100.

Argentina- 3.05 Argentine pesos to the dollar

Argentina's not the bargain-basement destination it was in 2001, after the collapse of its economy, but it still provides continental graces on a budget — and without most of the jet lag. Buenos Aires remains a top draw, with a culture both competitive with and distinct from its European colonizers; expect a world-famous, meat-centric cuisine (and even $5 steak dinners), a popular cafe culture, bustling tango halls and gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture.

Adventurous types looking to explore beyond B.A. should make their way to the beautifully preserved Salta, which is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the Andean northwest. Torrentes grapes are the country's signature variety, grown on vineyards throughout the Cayafate Valley. The region abounds with spectacular scenery; nature-lovers won't want to miss the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a Rio Grande gorge and UNESCO World Heritage Site within striking distance of Salta.

Costa Rica - 520 Costa Rican colones to the dollar

This Central American favorite spoils visitors with its well-developed system of national parks and some of the region's best Pacific beaches. For the former, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is both spectacular and remote — a four-wheel drive vehicle is a necessity — offering a respite from the crowds that can plague the country's more accessible destinations. Once you’re there, look for horseback tours across volcanic terrain or take a six-mile hike through tropical rain forest to the summit of an inactive volcano.

The park's location provides relatively easy access to the Pacific beaches, including those along Tamarindo Bay. Playa Tamarindo may be the most bustling — either a plus or minus, depending on your perspective — and offers an endless assortment of outdoor pursuits, from surfing to scuba diving to kayak tours of the local estuary that cost as little as $35.

Indonesia - 9,168 Indonesian rupiahs to the dollar

If you can stomach the long flight, Bali offers incredible value for the money — look around a bit and you may be able to engage a personal masseuse for as little as $5 a day. The village of Ubud is one of the island's chief draws, with a tradition as a premier destination for artists and some of the country's most impressive museums. These include the Agung Rai Museum of Art, with a full calendar of performances, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum, once the home of Spanish artist Antonio Blanco.

For those interested in physical as well as cultural nourishment, the area abounds in spas and body treatment centers — the Ubud Bodyworks Healing Centre is one of the most renowned, particularly for its healing massages with founder Ketut Arsana; a $60 hour-long session is expensive by local standards but the best in the area. Slide Show: The World's Cheapest Destinations

Poland – 2.16 Polish zlotych to the dollar

Poland supplies much of what neighboring Germany offers, but at a fraction of the price and a small portion of the crowds. Though most of the city was leveled during World War II, Warsaw is clearly on the move, with a booming economy amplified by the country’s recent admission to the European Union. (Even so, Poland won’t introduce the euro for at least another few years.)

In addition to housing several theaters and museums, the Palace of Culture and Science — a massive building that was a Cold War-era gift from the Soviet state to the Polish people — also boasts one of Warsaw’s top attractions: a viewing station from the 30th floor. Krakow, meanwhile, is building a reputation as a Polish Prague, with a growing community of young, artistic expats who enjoy cheap living (think $2 beers and a plateful of pierogies at Warsaw's Pierogarnia for about $5.50) and its historic Old City, which unlike Warsaw escaped the worst of the war's destruction.

Mexico – 10.36 Mexican pesos to the dollar

Forget our neighbor to the north if you’re looking for a cheap summer vacation. The Canadian loonie reached parity with the American dollar for the first time in nearly 30 years in 2007, so U.S. earners looking to stay close to home will have better luck heading south, where a room at even an upscale, exquisitely designed boutique hotel like Playa del Carmen's Basico costs less than $200.

Playa del Carmen is a worthy respite from the foam parties of Cancun, but still buzzing; if you desire more solitude, Tulum — best known as a day trip — is a solid alternative. A beachfront room at the Maya Tulum resort is less than $150; there’s also a full calendar of mind-body events, including a five-night, all-inclusive program that provides an ocean-view room, spa sessions, twice-daily yoga classes and all meals for less than $1,000.

Vietnam – 16,280 Vietnamese dong to the dollar

If capital city Hanoi is too overwhelming, use it as a jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the country — perhaps Sapa, easily accessible by train and just over 200 miles from Hanoi on the Chinese border. Travel by the Victoria Express train from Hanoi to the Sapa Resort, offering the area’s most luxurious accommodations. Rooms with a garden view start at around $130.

The town, though increasingly popular with visitors, still offers a glimpse of traditional life among the H’mong, Dao and other traditional peoples who live in the region. And make sure to bring an extra empty bag to pack for your trip home: You’ll have plenty of dong left over to spend on the gorgeous jewelry — hand-crafted bracelets at less than a dollar — or textiles you’ll find at the many local markets.

Diane Vadino is a frequent contributor to MSN Travel who writes about travel, art and design from her base in Brooklyn. Her debut novel, “Smart Girls Like Me,” was published in October. Slide Show: The World's Cheapest Destinations

Free Things to Do in Las Vegas

Unless you hit the jackpot at the slots, you might be looking for ways to save money on your next trip to Vegas. Here are some ideas to get you started.

By MSN Travel Editors

Here’s a list of our favorite ways to spend time and save money in Las Vegas. We invite you to share your ideas, as well! Visit our message boards to post your own favorite free things to do in Sin City. We’ll keep adding to this page, so keep checking back as the list grows with your suggestions.

1. Fremont Street Experience: Head downtown for this hourly light-and-sound show near some of Vegas' oldest casinos. Glitter is everywhere here, as millions of neon lights illuminate the heart of downtown Vegas.



2. Fountains at the Bellagio: What’s not to love about water that dances in time to music? The choreographed display starts every 30 minutes starting in the afternoon, then every 15 minutes in the evening.

3. Lion Habitat at MGM Grand: You can see majestic felines at the MGM Grand, where the lions can be found batting around their big red rubber ball or chewing on a rawhide bone. The famous lion that roared at the beginning of an MGM film was the first lion to live here, and now the "pride" has grown to 38; half a dozen lions are on view from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

4. Aquarium at the Mirage: This huge tank – measuring 53 feet long, 8 feet from top to bottom, and 6 feet from front to back – underwent recent technological improvements and now can support up to 1,000 coral reef fish. See how many species you can spot; there are at least 60 species from places like Australia, Hawaii, the Red Sea and the Caribbean.

5. The Conservatory at the Bellagio: It takes 140 horticulturists to stay on top of all the plants, flowers and shrubs on display in this hotel’s indoor garden. The result is a blooming oasis that gets extra special treatment – and a profusion of themed arrangements – for holidays. (http://www.bellagio.com/amenities/botanical-garden.aspx) Slide Show: Fabulous Las Vegas Icons

6. Circus acts: Catch juggling, contortionists, balancing acts, human pyramids and other circus acts under the big top at Circus Circus. Shows are performed daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.

7. Ethel M Chocolate Factory:Have you ever wanted to see what a 35,000-gallon tank of chocolate looks like? See for yourself on the self-guided tour of Ethel M’s Chocolate Factory in Henderson, Nev.; tours run daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both the tour and the samples along the way are free.

8. Stroll through the Farmers Market: If you’re in Henderson on a Thursday, stop by the Galleria Mall to see what’s fresh from the fields at the Farmers Market. Local produce and creative crafts are on display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

9. The Sirens of TI: The cove at the entrance of the Treasure Island hotel is the setting for this pseudo-17th-century battle. The sirens are scantily clad, the pirates get lured into a stormy tempest and drama – often in the form of pyrotechnics – ensues. The show runs every 90 minutes starting at 7 p.m.

10. Watch a volcano erupt: This perennially popular attraction at the MGM Mirage closed in February 2008 for renovation, but is expected to open again late in 2008.

11. Wildlife Habitat: Step into a tropical rain forest at the Flamingo, where you can see lush foliage, waterfalls and hundreds of birds. Don't miss the penguin feeding twice a day at 8:25 a.m. and 2:55 p.m.

Free Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago is the urban heart of the Midwest, unpretentious yet vibrant, multicultural yet all-American. There’s never a shortage of things to do and see here – especially things that are free.

By MSN Travel Editors

If you’re traveling to Chicago and need some ideas on how to see the city’s best free attractions, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite ways to spend time and save money in the Windy City. We invite you to share your ideas, as well! Visit our message boards to post your own favorite free things to do in Chicago. We’ll keep adding to this page, so keep checking back as the list grows with your suggestions.

1. Navy Pier: Built in the early 1900s, this 1.5-mile-long pier is packed full of activities (like the Chicago Children’s Museum, see below) and tourists heading to the Crystal Gardens, IMAX Theater and carnival rides. If you make it past all the distractions to the end of the pier, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views back to the city.



2. Lincoln Park Zoo: This is one of the few remaining free public zoos in the country, and also one of the oldest: Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating its 140th year in 2008. Some of the can’t-miss highlights include the new children’s zoo and the 29,000-square-foot exhibit for gorillas and chimps.



3. Garfield Park Conservatory: It’s been 100 years since the city of Chicago first started cultivating plants under the glass of the conservatory, and the site has grown to include 4.5 acres of green and flowering plants. Seasonal displays follow the calendar year, and a children’s garden is a popular spot for families. (http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/)

4. Tour greater Chicago: Have you ever traveled somewhere and wished you had a local to show you around? If you’re in Chicago, you’re in luck: Book an official "Greeter" for two- to four-hour tours on foot or public transit, and see the metro area from a savvy insider’s perspective. http://www.chicagogreeter.com/

5. Chicago Cultural Center: This is billed as one of the most comprehensive free arts showcases in the country, and visitors can experience daily programs in performing, visual and literary arts. The building itself is a work of art, too, thanks to its multiple stained-glass domes - including an immense dome made of Tiffany glass.



Chicago's Best New Restaurants

6. The Shakespeare Project of Chicago: Since 1995, professional actors have performed the Bard’s most-loved works at school auditoriums and public libraries around town – all shows are free, no reservations required. The season typically starts in September; check the Web site to see what’s playing when. http://www.shakespeare projectchicago.org/

7. Chicago Children’s Museum: The first Monday of every month is free for kids ages 15 and under, and Thursday nights are free for families at this popular hands-on museum. Exhibits include Dinosaur Expedition, Treehouse Trails, Inventing Lab, WaterWays and more.

8. John G. Shedd Aquarium: There are 52 "Discount Days" every year when admission to the aquarium is free, so it’s easy to get your fill of the more than two dozen sharks, beluga whales, dolphins, penguins, sea otters and 32,000 other aquatic animals on display.

9. Movies in the Park: When it’s too nice outside to go to a Cineplex, go see a movie in a park. The series, organized by the Chicago Park District, runs from June to September in various parks around the city. (http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles may be the playground of the rich and famous, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time during your visit.

By MSN Travel Editors

Theme parks, shopping on Rodeo Drive, dinner at Spago in Beverly Hills … all classic L.A. experiences, but not always easy on the budget. If you’re seeking to balance your days at Disneyland with some no-cost excursions, look no further. Here’s a list of our favorite ways to spend time and save money in Los Angeles. We invite you to share your ideas, as well! Visit our message boards to post your own favorite free things to do in L.A. We’ll keep adding to this page, so keep checking back as the list grows with your suggestions.


1. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Hollywood Boulevard (between Vine and La Brea) shines with 2,000 stars that commemorate famous people in the TV, film, recording and radio industries. It’s a rite of passage for every visitor to stroll the route and find their favorite stars’ star, but did you know the Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies are open to the public, too? Call 323-469-8311 to see who’s being honored when.



2. The Getty Center Museum: The Getty Center Museum is a stunning architectural showcase – with ocean and city views from a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains – and inside you’ll find European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts, and European and American photographs.

3. Free museum visits: Most museums have days or evenings when they do not charge admission: For example, the Norton Simon Museum is free on the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m.; LACMA is free on the second Tuesday; the Paley Center for Media (formerly the Museum of Television and Radio) and the Fowler Museum at UCLA are always free. Call your favorite museum to ask when its free admission day is.

4. Cruise a legendary road: You might recognize Mulholland Drive from movies such as "Point Break" and "Iron Man," as well as from the famous people who’ve lived along the highway, such as Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis. If you have a car, drive the highway to do some house-gazing, and check out the million-dollar views from the Hollywood Hills. Slide Show: Los Angeles Landmarks

5. Hollywood Bowl rehearsals: Here’s a great tip from Frommer’s: Few people know about the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s morning rehearsals at the Bowl (http://www.hollywood-bowl.com), which are open to the public and absolutely free. Bring coffee and doughnuts and enjoy the best seats in the house.

6. Go to the beach: From Malibu (of "Baywatch" fame) to Redondo (popular for surfing), you can’t go wrong spending a day at the beach. There are 30 miles of beaches in Los Angeles, so whether you like to in-line skate, surf or just dig your toes in the sand, you have plenty of choices.

7. Spend the day at Griffith Park: This 4,210-acre green space is the largest urban park in America (by comparison, Central Park in New York is 843 acres), and there are miles of hiking and equestrian trails, picnic spots galore, a famous observatory (free to enter, but there’s a cost for the planetarium show), and more.

8. Ocean Front Walk at Venice Beach: Once the beating heart of L.A’s hippie scene, today Venice Beach is Los Angeles at its bohemian best. According to Frommer’s, "On any given day, you're bound to come across all kinds of performers: mimes, break-dancers, stoned drummers, chain-saw jugglers, talking parrots, and the occasional apocalyptic evangelist."


9. Visit cemeteries where celebrities are buried: A bit morbid, perhaps, but still a great way to pay tribute to entertainment legends, from Cecil B. DeMille to John Candy. Some cemeteries even provide free maps to the graves.